The Holland Residents Association

Further update on Frinton Road Surgery (15 January)

This morning (15 January) Rita Garnett has been asked to distribute a further message to HRA members: the Frinton Road Surgery is now closed since there has been a further positive Covid test amongst the remaining reception staff. All telephone calls will be diverted to Green Elms in Jaywick. Epping Close surgery is still open but not taking face-to-face patients. Prescriptions can still be left in the box at Frinton Road surgery and these will still be collected and processed.

Rita Garnet, the HRA representative on the Patient Participation Group, has asked for the following message to be placed on this website and sent to all HRA members:-

Note of Frinton Road (including Epping Close members) meeting today 14 January

Staffing

Unfortunately, nine members of the reception staff are currently off sick due to covid. This has meant that the surgery staff remaining are under severe pressure. Hopefully, agency staff may be available next week to help the situation. Patients are therefore likely to have difficulty getting through on the phone and administrative tasks may take longer. There have been instances where members of the public have been abusive to staff and this is not acceptable. They are doing the best they can under extremely difficult circumstances.

Prescriptions

Any patient at Frinton Road needing a medication review between now and the end of March will have their review dates extended automatically and will be notified by the surgery. Normal reviews will begin again once we move to the new surgery.

The issue of how patients from Frinton Road can apply for repeat prescriptions (if not on-line) was discussed. The Clinical pharmacist is meeting with the Prescribing lead at the CCG to discuss options. This may be extending the use of the current box outside Frinton Road surgery (although the surgery will no longer hold the lease), placing a box in one or more of the pharmacies or more likely using a dedicated phone line (for a limited period) so that patients can order without the need to travel to Kennedy Way.

Covid Vaccinations

All patients from the two surgeries will be invited to attend at St Helena’s Hospice to receive their jabs. The site is open from 8 in the morning until 7 in the evening. They are working to reach as many people as possible subject to the availability of the vaccine, over which they have no control. Housebound patients will be dealt with on an individual basis. People who have registered a mobile phone no. with the surgery will receive the invite by text with a link. Patients can update their details by going on-line to either the Frinton Road or Epping Close websites.

There is free transport (for those with a bus pass) to the site in Clacton which can be arranged by phoning 01255 436962.

The Suffolk and NE Essex clinical trust have today launched a website at www.sneevaccine.org.uk

Rita Garnett

HRA Surgery Rep.

14^thJanuary 2021

The Holland Residents Association is looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on its Committee.

The Association has recently suffered the loss of two key Committee members (a husband and wife team Tony and Jill Rulten) who moved away from the area. The HRA is now looking for volunteers to fill vacancies on the Committee especially the roles of Secretary to the Association, Social Secretary, and website manager. Details of the committee structure and vacancies can be found below.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Committee of the HRA in whatever capacity is asked to contact the Chair Maureen Humphreys at mhumphreys51@gmail.com or indeed any of the Committee members whose contact details can also be found below

The Association, which first met in 1926 in a garage, was set up to ensure that the needs of the residents were acknowledged and acted upon by the local and county councils.This work continues under a progressive forward thinking committee ably supported by our local County Councillor. Regular communication and social activities feature in the Associations work assisted by a quarterly magazine and website. Lively communication is encouraged from all sections of the community so that we act in concert with each other, and in strength, to achieve what is best for Holland on Sea and its residents.

HRA is a member of The National Organisation of Residents Associations

Other groups we work with include:

Patient Participation Group Frinton Road Surgery

The Beach Hut Owners Association.

HRA Executive Committee

Hon. President: Colin Sargeant

Hon.Chair: Maureen Humphreys

Hon Treasurer: Andrew Dunnett

Hon.Secretary: Vacancy

Minutes Secretary: Vacancy

Environmental / Beaches: Penny Gagne

Planning: Andy Baker